Guernsey - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Guernsey, it was the name is of Old Norse origin, but the meaning of the root "Guern(s)" is uncertain; the "-ey" ending means "island". The Government system in this country is the parliamentary democracy (States of Deliberation) type and the different Administrative divisions includes: none (British Crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 10 parishes: Castel, Forest, Saint Andrew, Saint Martin, Saint Peter Port, Saint Pierre du Bois, Saint Sampson, Saint Saviour, Torteval, Vale
National symbols

Guernsey cow, donkey; national colors: red, white, yellow.

The flag
The National flag of Guernsey has white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross; the red cross represents the old ties with England and the fact that Guernsey is a British Crown dependency; the gold cross is a replica of the one used by William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
The National Anthem
Title "Sarnia Cherie" (Guernsey Dear)
Lyric/music George DEIGHTON/Domencio SANTANGELO
More about the government of Guernsey
Date of Independence none (British Crown dependency)
National holiday Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)
Legal system customary legal system based on Norman customary law; includes elements of the French civil code and English common law
International law organization participation
Constitution
History Unwritten; includes royal charters, statutes, and common law and practice
Amendments New laws or changes to existing laws are initiated by the States of Deliberation; passage requires majority vote; many laws have been passed; in 2019, 60 laws were passed
Citizenship
Executive Branch
Chief of state King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Lieutenant-Governor Richard CRIPWELL (since 15 February 2022)
Head of government Chief Minister Lyndon TROTT (since 13 December 2023)
Cabinet none
Elections/appointments the monarchy is hereditary; lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch; chief minister, who is the president of the Policy and Resources Committee indirectly elected by the States of Deliberation for a 4-year term; last held on 7 October 2020 (next to be held in 2024)
Election results
2020: Peter FERBRACHE (independent) elected president of the Policy and Resources Committee and chief minister: percent of States of Guernsey vote - 57.5%

2016: Gavin ST. PIER (independent) elected president of the Policy and Resources Committee and chief minister
Legislative branch
Description Unicameral States of Deliberation (40 seats; 38 People's Deputies and 2 representatives of the States of Alderney; members directly elected by majority vote to serve 4-year terms); note - non-voting members include the bailiff (presiding officer), attorney-general, and solicitor-general
Elections Last held on 7 October 2020 (next to be held in June 2025)
Election results Percent of vote - GPI 24.0%, GP 10%, APG 3.4%, independent 62.6%; seats - GPI 10, GP 6, independent 22, States of Alderney 2; composition - men 32, women 8, percentage women 20%
Judicial branch
Highest court(s) Guernsey Court of Appeal (consists of the Bailiff of Guernsey, who is the ex-officio president of the Guernsey Court of Appeal, and at least 12 judges); Royal Court (organized into 3 divisions - Full Court sits with 1 judge and 7 to 12 jurats acting as judges of fact, Ordinary Court sits with 1 judge and normally 3 jurats, and Matrimonial Causes Division sits with 1 judge and 4 jurats); note - appeals beyond Guernsey courts are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
Judge selection and term of office Royal Court Bailiff, Deputy Bailiff, and Court of Appeal justices appointed by the British Crown and hold office at Her Majesty's pleasure; jurats elected by the States of Election, a body chaired by the Bailiff and a number of jurats
Subordinate courts Court of Alderney; Court of the Seneschal of Sark; Magistrates' Court (includes Juvenile Court); Contracts Court; Ecclesiastical Court; Court of Chief Pleas
Diplomatic representation in the US
Diplomatic representation from the US
Embassy None (British crown dependency)
Key Political parties and their leaders in Guernsey
  • Alliance Party Guernsey or APG [Barry WEIR]
  • Guernsey Partnership of Independents or GPI [Gavin ST PIER]
  • Guernsey Party or GP [Mark HEYLAR]
    • International organization participation
  • UPU
    • All Important Facts about Guernsey

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    Guernsey is found in Northern Europe